Former governor of Jigawa State and a current ministerial nominee, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, had during his administration vowed to address poverty among the residents of the state, but data shows that over 5 million people are multidimensionally poor in the state.
“The broadband policy thrust of our government will focus on the security of lives and property, education and human capital development, water and sanitation, primary healthcare, youth empowerment, women empowerment and poverty alleviation through agriculture and agro-allied processing,” he had said as part of his promises shortly after assuming office in 2015.
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In its May 2021 edition, Jigawa-based magazine — Jigawa State This Moment — celebrated Badaru’s six-year in office, claiming he had undertaken various projects and initiatives in critical areas that will better the lives of his people especially in agriculture, commerce and investment, infrastructure, education, water, economic empowerment and several others.
Two years later (January 2023), the governor said he had fulfilled all the promises he made during the campaign and even completed many additional projects and programs that improved the social and economic life of Jigawa citizens.
According to him, he has no regrets about his two-term tenure as the people of the state still cherish and respect him.
THIS IS WHAT THE DATA SAYS
Data obtained from Nigeria’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), 2022, shows that 5.7 million people are multidimensionally poor in the state. Jigawa took sixth position among other states where locals are multidimensionally poor.
Out of the “poor” locals, 1,326 live in Jigawa north and east.
MPI report uses a range of indicators such as living standard, health and education to calculate a summary poverty figure for a given population.
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The report revealed that over half of the population who are multidimensionally poor cook with dung, wood or charcoal, rather than cleaner energy. It further revealed that high deprivations are also apparent in sanitation, healthcare, food insecurity, and housing.
It added that multidimensional poverty is higher in rural areas, where 72% of people are poor, compared to 42% of people in urban areas. Approximately 70% of Nigeria’s population lives in rural areas, and 30% in urban areas, the report said.
Badaru is one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ministerial nominees recently screened by the National Assembly.
He is a two-term governor of Jigawa state having served from 2015 to 2023 under the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
